The Woman's Tribune

God in Government.

Editor Tribune :--In my former letter I said nothing which I supposed it possible for any one to interpret as favoring a "union of church and state," or any "religious test" in the sense G. L. H. claims to understand me. I would not for anything have an established Church of America,as the Church of England, nor does any Prohibitionist that I ever heard of desire such a thing. Miss Willard has never given any one reason for the accusation, nor has the prohibition party; nor would it be possible in a government like ours. The Constitution says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," also, that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office." True Christianity never required the support of the state, and such a combination would, as it has in the past, lead to a corruption of religion itself. and it was Christian principle that put that clause into the Constitution. Politics and true Christianity are inseparable, inasmuch as no person can be morally pure, and politically corrupt. It is impossible to prove false to a political trust, and yet true to God.

"Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (Nothing is said about excepting political duties.)

The Prohibition party are trying to "put God's standard of right into human law," and when we get the ballot we do not intend to vote for any person who is not actuated by a regard for "God's standard," if we can help it.

Theoretically our government does acknowledge God as the source of power, and has ever since we had a government of the United States. The preamble of the Constitution of New York reads: "We, the people of the state of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom." &c. The Declaration of Independence virtually recognizes it. The United States government recognizes it, by employing chaplains, and paying them from its treasury. In time of war a chaplain for each regiment, one for every ship-of-war, for hospitals, and military ports, makes quite a large number employed by the government. If God and the Bible are "banished" what are these for? It certainly shows that the nation provides for the spiritual, as well as physical interests.

The final clause of the "Iron-clad oath," which was required from every one before holding civil, military, or naval office, was, "So help me God." What is the use of asking the help of a being which was ignored?

Our government has protected all shades of belief, and in return so-called liberals, free-thinkers and non-creed people are trying to drive out Christianity itself. Let me quote the words of H. H. Robinson in the same issue of the Tribune in which G. L. H.'s letter appears. She says: "I have found quite as much illiberality among so-called liberals, quite as much prescription among so-called free-thinkers as among other classes of sectarians." The clause in the Prohibition party platform, does not recognize any creed or denomination as the "source of power." but God himself.

There is no civil question on which the Bible does not dictate. Laws of murder. stealing. divorce, and everything on which human legislation touches are in the Bible, and it is because they have not been more closely followed, that the injustice we suffer exists. His curse is pronounced against all the "nations that forget God." I will close with the words of Menelaus to the Greeks:

'Tis man's bold task the generous strife to try.
But in the hands of God is victory."

-M. R. Winter, Byron. N. Y.